Method of and apparatus for minimizing deposition of carbonaceous material



R. LAS$IAT METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MINIMIZING Jan. 3, 1950 DEPOSITION OF CARBONACEQUS MATERIAL heat Filed Sept. 26, 1947 INVENTOR. Faymazzd 63 Lawmz A TOR/V57.

Jan. 3, 1950 R. c. LASSIAT METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINIMIZING DEPOSITION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL Filed Sept. 26, 1947 8 9 w 9 w 2 v 4 s 2 a e s 3 INVENTOR. Kai Wilma C Lam/1d? v ATIflR VEK Jan. 3, 1950 R. c. LASSIAT METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MINIMIZING DEPOSITION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 26, 1947 INVEN TOR. leg/mam] Clank?! ATZWRZVEK Patented Jan. 3, 1950 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MINI- MIZING DEPOSITION OF CARBONACEOUS MATERIAL Raymond C. Lassiat, Swarthmore, Pa., assignor to Houdry Process Corporation, Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware Application September 26, 1947, Serial No. 776,201

(on. 19c 52) 9 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion system and has particular reference to a method of and apparatus for at least substantially preventing deposition of carbonaceous material on the interior surface of a conversion housing or on selected surfaces interiorly thereof.

As known in the art of converting hydrocarbons, it is desirable, under some circumstances, for atomized liquid hydrocarbon material to form at least a part of the total hydrocarbon charge which is engaged with heated contact material adapted to gravitate or flow through a housing while having conversion temperature. In a process of this character, th atomizer for the liquid hydrocarbon material is suitably located in a chamber of said housing which, in part, is traversed by atomized liquid material ejected by the atomizer into engagement with at least a substantial portion of the gravitating contact ma terial. This atomized liquid material is ejected from the atomizer at high velocity, some of which, in an unintended or undesired manner and, unless prevented, migrates or tends to migrate to the interior housing surface and/or the surface or surfaces of one or more other members disposed within said housing. In the event that such atomized liquid material reaches said surface or surfaces, as the conversion operation proceeds, there is a resultant undesired accumulation of carbonaceous material thereon.

In accordance with my invention, a stream of vapors having suitable velocity for deflecting purposes are passed into the path followed by atomized liquid material migrating or tending to-migrate to such a surface as aforesaid. These vapors deflect at least a substantial portion of such atomized liquid material and effectively minimizes the aforesaid undesired formation of carbonaceous material.

In accordance with another aspect of my invention, a stream or layer of vapors at substantial velocity sufficient to prevent passage or resist penetration therethrough of migrating atomized liquid material is directed along a predetermined path. Such a path, of which there may be several, depending upon the desired course of travel of the atomized liquid material, is disposed to enclose desired volume or volumes occupied by the latter while isolating such volume or volumes from surfaces presented by the housing or its component interior parts. In practice of the invention, said streams or layers of vapors confine the atomized liquid material to predetermined zones and, in its preferred aspects, assist in moving the same toward a bed of contact material.

In a more restricted sense, my invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion system wherein at least a substantial portion of the contact material falls freely in a chamber defined by the conversion housing. While the contact material falls freely as stated, atomized liquid material is engaged therewith and, by utilization of the described stream: of deflecting vapors, undesired migration of, atomized liquid material is controlled in such manner that one or more of the aforesaid surfaces are maintained substantially free from deposited carbonaceous material.

In accordance-with an important aspect of my invention, suitable vapors such, for example, as hydrocarbon vapors to be converted are admitted toan upper atomizereoontaining chamber of the aforesaid conversion-housing, the velocity of the vapors, after admission to saidchamber, being substantiall increased, by' utilization of a baflle member orin other equivalent manner, and, in circumferentiallyi complete configuration, the vapors are directed downwardly around the atomizing zone and into the path of such atomized liquid material as migrates or'tends to migrate toward the interior housing surface to thereby at least substantially prevent contact with said surface of atomized liquid material resulting in deposition of carbonaceous material thereon.

Various other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.

My invention"resides in the method of and apparatus for minimizing a deposition of carbonaceous material on one or more surfaces Within a conversion housing, features and arrangements' of the character hereinafter described and claimed. 1

For an understanding of my invention and for an illustration'of one form of apparatus with which the invention may be practiced, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which: v

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevationgshowinga conversion housing and an associated baffle member as constructed in accordance with oneforrn of the invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and tare transverse sectional views, partl in plan, taken on therespective lines 2-2, 3-3 and i i of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation,. showing, an atomizer; and

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, partly in plan, taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

In an application of James E. Evans Ser. N0. 756,031, filed June 20,1947, there is disclosed a hydrocarbon conversion process involving utilization of an arrangement for engaging atomized liquid hydrocarbon material with a freely falling shower of contact material. For purposes of explanation as regards my invention, I have included in this application a generaldisclosure of the subject matter illustrated and described in the aforesaid Evans application.

Thus, referring particularly to Fig. 1, I havee shown a vertical housing I which, inhorizontal cross section, may be circular. oroff'any other suitable configuration. The housing I defines a reaction zone wherein hydrocarbon material is cracked or otherwise converted in the-presence of contact material C which-movesdownwardly therethrough under the influence of gravity; the contact material C being introduced: into-said:

housing I in suitable manner, as by an inlet pipe 2 extending through the top housing wall at the center thereof.

Ashallowreceptacle-like member 3 may be suitably supported in the upper portion of the housing I, said member Shaving a central discharge-pipe4 opening therethrough and extending downwardlytherefrom. Slidably associated with the discharge pipe 4 is a horizontal valve member 5 having an operating handle extending through and terminating-exteriorly of the housing I. The valve member-5- may comprise two spaced passages Sit-and 5b, the diameter of the passage So being thesame-as-the internal diameter ofthe pipe 4and the diameter of the passage Ebbeing suitably less than said internal diameter of thepipe-4. Suitably'supported, in the manner hereinafter described, beneath the pipe 4 is a tubular member-6 and a 'conical member 'I, the conical member I being disposedinteriorly of the tubular member 6. The base of" the conical member 'I'has exterior diameter somewhat less than'theinterior diameter of the tubular member 6 and, by reason of the fact that these two members are symmetrically related to each other, there is an annular slot or passage 8'therebetween at the lower ends thereof.

A pipe 9, adapted ,to be traversed either partially or entirely by liquid phase hydrocarbon material, extends from the exterior of the housing to the interior thereof. and the inner end thereof communicates with and supports an atomizer A of any suitable character but which, preferably although not necessarily, is'of the character disclosed in the aforesaid .Evans application. A pipe I adapted to be traversed by hydrocarbon vapors extends fromthe exterior of the housing I to the interior thereof and this pipe. I0 should be positioned at a higher level than theaforesaid pipe 9.

As shown, the pipe 4, the tubular member 6, the conical member I and the atomizer A should be so related to each other that their respective longitudinal axes are in coincidence==with each other and also with the longitudinal axis of the housing I.

In operation, regenerated or other heated contact material C having suitable conversion temperature passescontinuously from the pipe2 and, to suitable extent, fills the receptacle 3 which defines an upper zone of the housing I. When the.

valve member is positioned as illustrated, namely, with its passage 51) alined with the pipe 4, a desired control is efiected on the amount of contact material which gravitates downwardly through the discharge pipe4' from thereceptacle 3." Thevalve member-5;=then, restricts or controls the downward flow-of contact material under the influence of gravity through that part of said pipe 4 above the plane of said valve member 5. After leaving the valve member 5, the contact material, in the manner hereinafter described, falls or moves downwardly under the influence of gravity until it comes to rest upon and at least partly defines the upper surface of a bed B of gravitating contact material which constitutes the conversion zone proper, the bottom surface of this bed of contact material engaging a tube sheet, not shown, which is horizontally disposed in the housing I and suitably secured to the interior surface thereof. As the contact material falls freely below the conical member I, it is engaged by liquid hydrocarbon material after atomization thereof by the aforesaid atomizer A.

In view of the foregoing, it clearly appears that the atomizer A is disposed in a chamber D of the housing I, said chamber D being bounded, at its lower end, by the zone defined by the upper surfaceof the bed B and, at its upper end, by the aforesaid zone defined by the receptacle-3.

If desired, a plurality of pipes I I may be spaced.

uniformly around the interior surface of the hous ing I. The upper ends of these pipes II communicate with the chamber defined by the member 3, which may support said pipes, and the lower ends thereof terminate at the upper surface ofthe aforesaid bed B of contact material. They are adapted to be traversed by a portion, pref erably a minor portion, as 20% more or less of the total amount of contact material gravitatingdownwardly through the housing I. The pipes I I,

when utilized, contribute as regards maintenance;

of the surface of the bed B at a level approximately'that of the lower ends of said pipes.

As stated, the bed B of contact material gravitates through the housing I and any suitable known or other arrangement, not shown, may beutilized for discharging the spent contact material from the housing I for passag through a discharge pipe I2 in a controlled manner. Like- Wise, any suitable known or other arrangement,

not shown, may be provided for disengaging cracked or converted vapors from the contact material C so that they may pass through an outlet pipe I3.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, the" atomizer A hereinbefore referred to should be one which produces fog, mist, spray or otherliquid particles having suitable dimensions from the liquid hydrocarbon material admitted thereto. As shown, the atomizer A comprises a casing I4 having a top wall I5 through which the lower :end of the hereinbefore described pipe 9 opens and to which said pipe is secured. The casing I4 has a lower wall It above which said casing I4 com-- prises horizontal and vertical circular plate portions I4a and'I4b related to each otherin rightanglerelation. In the form of atomizer herein shown, although not necessarily, a row of ports' or passages I4c open through the respective cas ings portions I ia and M17, these ports I40 being alined in sets. Hydrocarbon material admitted by the pipe 9 to the casing I4 passes to and through each' of said ports I40 and, in atomized condition, engages the freely falling contact material as hereinafter described.

When hydrocarbon material is to be cracked in the housing I, the contact material C hereinbefore referred to should be catalytic in character and: the temperature thereof, upon admis--- sion' to the housing I, should range between 800 F. and 1000 F; or higher for example, about 900 FL Anysuitable kind of catalytic contact ma terial may thus be utilized such, for example, as

activated clay pellets, or synthetic silica-alumina othernormally liquidhydrocarbons may be effected in the presence of the above or other desired types of catalyst, certain of which are well known in the art.

During operation with suitable cracking contact material, vapors such, for example, as vaporized gas oil, naphtha or lighter hydrocarbons having suitable elevated temperature, as; in a range from 850 F. to 950 F. are admitted continuously to the housing I by way of the conduit I0. Simultaneously, liquid hydrocarbon material such, for example, as a suitable residual stock, topped or reduced crude having temperatur elevated into a suitable range as, for example, from 400 F. to 800 F. is charged continuously through the pipe 9 under superatmospheric pressure ranging, for example, from 10 lbs. to 200 lbs. per square inch gauge or as otherwise may be required for causing the atomized liquid material from the atomizer A to engage the contact material freely falling from the conical member 1. The liquid hydrocarbon material thus traversing the pipe 9 passes through the atomizer casing I4 and, as disclosed in the aforesaid Evans application, the alined atomizer ports I40 of the respective sets thereof are traversed, respectively, by streams of hydrocarbon material which pass toward and engage each to produce resultant streams of atomized material which, as a mist or fog, pass downwardly in inclined relation and engage the aforesaid freely falling contact material, Fig. 1.

:As stated, hydrocarbon vapors, which in connection with a cracking operation preferably have temperature substantially higher than that of the hydrocarbon material admitted to the atomizer A,. are passed into the housing I by way of. the. pipe Ill. These vapors pass through the housing I concurrently as regards the contact material C and in the presence thereof, are converted to cracked products. In so doing, the heat content of these vapors, by reason of the temperature relation referred to immediately above, assists as regards vaporization of the liquid hydrocarbon material entering said housing I through the atomizer A and provide a desired control on the space velocity of the entire charge traversing the housing I. Simultaneously, in the manner described above, atomized liquid hydrocarbon material is engaged with the freely falling contact material with resultant vaporization of such atomized liquid material and formation of cracked products while passing through the housin I concurrently as regards the contact material C. As regards the total charge entering the housing I, the ratio of vapors to liquid material may be such as is suitable and desirable. Thus, for example, between 10% and 30% of the charge maybe in the liquid phase for; passage to the atomizer A and theremainder.

fluence of gravity while traveling alongthe path from valve member 5 to the top of the bed B,: the velocity of the contact material constantly.v increasing while it travels along saidpath. ;The

tubular member 6 is provided solely to prevent undesired bouncing movement of the contact material toward the wall structure of the housing I, after engagement thereof with the conicalmember I, and the horizontal dimension of the annular passage 8 defined in part by said tubular member 6 is such thatit does not restrict or choke downward movement of the contact'ma-.

terial. Therefore, at and below said annular pas sage 8,.the contact material falls freely as a shower S of such material which, in horizontal section, may be approximately circular, the longitudinal axis thereof coinciding generall with the vertical axis of the housing I. the foregoing, and further by reason of the fact that the base diameter of the conical member! is substantial, for example, approximately ornearly one-half the internal diameter of the hous-' ing I, it follows that the individual pieces of contact material C, while falling below :said. conical member 1, are spaced-fromeach other;

to substantial extent. Thus, the density or compactness of the falling shower S of contact ma-.- terial is such that it does not prevent or bar passage therethrough of some or even a substan tial' portion of the atomized liquid material of and generally concentrically with respect to said shower of contact material. The atomized liquid material which thus passes through'the shower S of freely falling contact material continues on its downward course and, as shown in Fig, 1, is deposited on the contact-material de-j fining a portion of the upper surface of the bed B which, as hereinbefore stated, forms the reaction zone proper. The foregoing holds true with respect to all of the atomized liquid material except the migrating portion thereof hereinafter specifically discussed.

Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, it will be 7 understood that hydrocarbon material admitted. to the housing I by way of the pipes 9 and. I0 is converted in the presence of the contact ma, terial C to produce cracked products. As the operation proceeds, hydrocarbon vapors, principally, fill the aforesaid chamber D under pressure determined by the pressure existing in the hereinbefore described outlet pipe I3. In known manner, a suitable sealing medium. such 'asa stream of flue gases, is admitted to thetop "of' the housing I by way of a pipe I a, Fig. 1, this seal ing medium being maintained under pressure slightly greater than that of the said hydrccarbon vapors last named in order to prevent passage of these hydrocarbon vapors upwardly through the pipe 2. Due to this pressure 'relation which exists in the chamber D, hydrocarbon-materialadmitted to said chamber by way of the pipes 9* and ID, as described above, is caused to pass down 1 wardly concurrently as regards the gravitating'-' contact material, this hydrocarbon material being cracked inthe presence of said contact material in'the'vapor phase for passage through-thepipec The contact material C, except forthe deflecting action thereon .of the conical member 1; moves or falls freely. downward underthe in- By reason of awpose 75 dither-resulting: cracked vaporssibeingfisuitablyn disengaged therefrom whereupon they are passed'i tonnmsuitable destination byway of thei hereinbefore fde'scribedzfoutleia pipe fl 3.1 In: 'knownman-" nerzandibyasuitableuneans; notshown'; a suitable gaseousmedium suchasIsteam is-admitted tothe lowere'portioniof the housing I; below the pipe I3. andmunder: pressure above'i that existing at-the levelfther'eof, toipreventflpassage of the'hydro carb'on'ivaporsithrough' the pipe I2.

Asii stated'cabove; atomized. liquid material is:' directed 'ipreferably downwardl and in inclined: relationias :shown' in Fig.'-1 and a portion thereofisi'engaged with the .icontact material forming the fallingishower S5 The remainder passes therethrough and, to substantial extentis engaged with'the top surfaceof the bed B. However, some or the'iatomized liquid imaterial which thus traverses the -falling shower S passes, not into en-- gagementawith the'top surface of "the bed B, but 20 more Orfle'ss directly toward the interior surface ot the housing I and 'th'e pipes' II, when-utilized." Atthesame-time; some of theatomized liquid mate'rial last named; migrates or ten'dsto migrate upwardly an'd outwardly through the chamber D towardsaid-"interior surface of the housing If Should atomized-"liquid material be deposited on said interior surface of-th'e housing I during -con-* tinuance of the conversion operation, there is resultant production' or deposition, on this surface; of=' carbonaceous materialwhich, in the course 'oftime,"breaks off 'into chunks of such material that move-into and through the bed B of-icontact material-with resultant partial or com-' pletplu'gging of the outlets,- not shown, at the bottom of 'the'housin'g I. Should this happen to' any substantial extent, it is necessary for opera-- tion ofthe system to be discontinued for cleaning purposes. The -foregoing, of course, is undesired and="is'at' least' substantially prevented, in ac-- cordancewith my invention; as 'hereinafter-'de-' scribed;

Thusyrefe'rring to Fi'gs; 1, 3 and'4, I have shown a b'aille -member M- which is disposed within the; housingl in the lower'portion of the housing chamber D? said bafile member being suitably supporte'd; as byan annular member '20 "which is secured to'the interiorsurface of 'said'hous'ing I} Fig.1. As herein shown, the bafliemember "M is circular'in'horizontal section and 'the vertical axis" thereof coincides with the vertical axis of-the housing I. Further, thediameter of said bailie" member "is such th'at-the "outer surface thereof fofrmswiththe-interior surface of the h'ousingl a'- vapor path" 2| having relatively small width; Figs; 3"and 4, and closed at its lower end'ibythe horizontal portion of th'eaforesaid annularfmem -1 ber"20." V g V If'de'siredfapluralityof bars ZZ'Jmay be utilized; to anchor'the baffiemem'ber M in the position of; the drawings- If. so, these bars 22'may be welded; or otherwise suitably'secured to the b'afll membenand housing surfaceswhich are engagedvtherebyr.

As. shown in 7Figs. .1 .and43, the .baflie member M mayrcarry ,atplural'ity. or. h0riZonta1-,-inWard-1-y:- exat tending bars.231which=. are secured -to-and support-r the. hereinbeforedescribed.- tubular: member; 6n which inturn may carry a plurality-of horizontal}; inwardly extending'inars 24 extendingtowardtand m beingesecured to? the l1ereinbeforeedescribed":con sicalumemberil in. order to'support thelatter Tin? operltivepositioneas -shown in'-F'ig;- -1.-- I

Incaccordancewwith;:ar-detailed feature ofathee invention, the-bafilmmember-M-anaye comprisemn:

iir-wardlwextendingl-upwardly inclined portioniflr Fig; 1. 1 Cooperative with thisiinclined'. portionlh is-a structure 2fi: which'may beiintegrallmformedfl with the aforesaidwub'ular member Sinzthe sense that it is. connected thereto by narrow ribsitii. Fig/l. The stru'ctureZBJmay comprise arr-lin clined portion i 26a extending fsubstantially rpar: allelawith the aforesaid bafile memberrinclined portion 25 and forming an annular passage pi' therewith;- Further; the structure 28' may' 'com prise a vertical wall portion terminating ina lower inchnedportion 28b which, except'for said ribs 60, formsan annular passage pl with the topsurface'= of i the above described tubularm'ember SE' As' i shown,- the structure 26 and the tubular "member? 6 form an" annular passage p2 with the -rconical member I.

Further in accordance with the invention, the' vertical portion of the baflie member M comprises a-pluralityioi inwardly extending; downwardly-inclined portions 21 spaced. with respect: to" each: other in'vertical relation, each portion 21 forming;v an annular: passage p3 with the adjacent, lowerbaffleplatewall surface. If'desired, althouglr 'by' no means necessariiyy the sections of a the vertical- 'More particularly, the hydrocarb'omvapors ad mitted to said housing- I by way of the pipe-10 flow 'downwardl'y through the housing chamber D' and a'substantial portion thereof traverse the path 2i and then flow through the described baflli *plate passages p, pi, pZand p3; As a-resu1t, in

each. of these passages, the velocity ofthewapors is increased"to substantial extent and such in'*- creased" vapor velocity persists, although dissi pated to some extent, as the-vapors move down-- 'wardlyawithin thebaflle member M'adjacent the-'- interionsurface thereof and reach-the upperisur= face of the bed B. In view of the fo'regoingg it will be understoodthat' these high velocity vapors move'into the path of su'chatomized liquid mate-= rial "that passes or -migrates along paths leading towardtthe interior surface of the housing I witho the result that such atomized liquid-imateri'alis deflected from these paths and effectively swept into engagement wtih the contact material form ing the top surface of the bed B.

As regards the form of the invention herein disclosechthe respective streams of vapors traversmg? the upper passages 17, pi and pZare intendedfi responsiveto a deflecting action, to preventundesired migration of atomized liquid material up-- wardiy into that part of the chamber D above-the bafile'mem ber'M. More particularly, the respective streams of vapors traversing the passages pH and p2 directly protect the tubular member 6 and conical member I from upwardly migrating atom ized'. liquid material because deflecting the same downwardly. 1

At each of the passages p, pl, etc., aseparate" stream of vapors is produced but, as will be recognized, theseseparate vapor streams merge to sub-* stantial extentduring continued downward'move ment'thereofI However, as regards the merged vapor stream, the-velocity thereof is increased-as it flows past each of the lower baffle member'pas sages p3 w-ith-th'e result that the-VeIOcity'oFsaid V merged vapor stream is adequate for the useful purpose described above.

As stated above, the streams of deflecting vapors are produced in response to flow thereof through the respective bafiie member passages 1), pi, etc. In the form of the invention herein shown, although not necessarily, the baiiie member M is inter-posed in the direct path of atomized liquid material passing or migrating, not toward the upper surface of the bed B, but toward the interior housing surface and upwardly through the housing. Hence, this baffle member,

' unaided by the streams of deflecting vapors, is

effective to prevent the migrating atomized liquid material from reaching and forming a carbonaceous deposit on said interior housing surface. However, as will be obvious, this function of the battle member M would be futile if the conditions were such that said migrating atomized liquid material formed a carbonaceous deposit on the interior surface thereof, this being true, by reason of the fact that such a deposit, if formed, would interfere with :proper operation of the conversion system for the reasons hereinbefore stated. It will be understood, then, as regards the disclosed form of the invention, that the direct function of the high velocity vapor streams is that of at least substantially preventing formation of a carbonaceous deposit on the interior surface of said baflie member M.

In the event that a small portion of the migrating atomized liquid material does pass through the aforesaid streams of vapors, the latter decreases the partial pressure of said last named atomized liquid material which, accordingly, is more readily vaporized by the ambient heat of the conversion system than would be the case if the partial pressure had not been decreased. Accordingly, even as regards this last named small portion of atomized liquid materiaL'the described vaporizing action minimizes the amount thereof reaching the interiorsurface of the bafiie member M with resultant decrease in the quantity of carbonaceous material which is formed thereon.

It will be understood, then, that in the absence in the arrangement comprising the bafiie member M, or equivalent, for producing the described streams of high velocity vapors, migrating atomized liquid material would be deposited on the interior surface of the housing I with resultant, undesired production of carbonaceous material.

For purposes of explanation, the invention has been described in connection with a conversion system wherein the contact material gravitates through a housing in a particular'manner.

limited since it is applicable to conversion systems wherein the contact material to which the atomized liquid material is applied is controlled for movement. gravitating or otherwise, in any desired manner whether freely falling or not.

Obviously, in lieu of the bafiie member M, any other suitable form of baiile member may be utilized and it may be positioned as desired within the housing chamber D. Again, all baiiie members may be omitted in favor of a nozzle or equivalent which directs through said housing chamber a stream of vapors having velocity suflicient for the useful purpose described herein. It is significant, however, as regards a broad concept of the invention that some arrangement shall be provided for producing a stream of vapors having velocity adequate to deflect migrating atomized liquid material out of a path leading to the inner surface of a conversion housing, to the sur- Obviously, however, the invention is not to be thus face of a baffle within said housing, or to the respective surfaces of other members for example, such as the tubular member 6 and the conical member I disposed with the chamber D, any or all of the surfaces last named or equivalent surfaces being hereinafter generically referred to in some of the appended claims as a surface which should be maintained free from a carbonaceous deposit.

It shall also be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the utilization of hydrocarbon vapors for the purpose described herein; Obviously, other vapors such as superheated steam may be admitted to the housing chamber D and utilized for deflecting purposes as described with respect to the hydrocarbon vapors admitted to said chamber by the pipe iii.

The preceding description relates to catalytic conversion processes but the invention is not to be so limited. Thus, the contact material C may be substantially inert catalytically such, for example, as fused alumina (Alundum), fused silica and alumina, heat-resistant quartz or quartz pebbles, fused silica, etc., this material having approximately spherical or chunk-like configuration and the major dimensions ranging between to of an inch, for example. With contact material of this character, hydrocarbon vapors may be admitted to the housing l by way of the pipe Ill under the conditions hereinbefore described and the atomizer A may be supplied with at least partially liquid phase heavy hydrocarbon material such, for example, as entire crudes, reduced or topped crudes, crude bottoms, residual or heavy bottoms, distillation residuums, etc., all of which contain heavy, diflicultly vaporizable fractions or components such as tar, asphalt or the like in various proportions. Inert contact material of the character described should gravitate through the housing I while having temperature within a range between 800 F. and 1250 F. and the heavy hydrocarbon material should be supplied to the atomizer A while having temperature ranging up to 750 F. or higher. When the operation is of this character, the liquid portion of the heavy hydrocarbon material is vaporized and viscosity-broken, in the example shown, in response to'engagement thereof with the freely falling inert contact material and that forming the top surface of the bed B, the resulting vaporized products being withdrawn from the housing I by way of the conduit 13.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

g i. In the art of converting hydrocarbons in the presence of contact material which gravitates through a reaction zone while having conversion temperature, the method which comprises causing atomized liquid hydrocarbon material to pass through a chamberin the upper portion of said reaction zone and to be engaged with at least a substantial portion of said contact material, admitting a stream of vapors to said chamber, increasing the velocity of said stream of vapors to substantial extent after admission thereof to said chamber, and passing said stream of vapors, after the velocity thereof has thus been increased, into the path followed by some of the atomized liquid material migrating or tending to migrate along said path toward a surface which should be main- ;l l wtained l. free from .a :.deposit of carbonaceous material. I

22. ,Theirnethod of claim 1. .whereina. portion .of -.the .contactmaterial cwhichdsengaged by the "atomized liquidmaterial falls freelythrough said \,chamber.

,.the..art of ,converting hydrocarbons in thepresence of contact material which gravitates athrougha reaction zonewhile having conversion ,temp.erature,.the method which comprises passing liquid ,hydrocarbon material into an atomizing .zone disposedinanchamber in the .upper portion iof .saidreaction zone, directing the atomized .liquidmater-ialinto. engagement: with. at. least a substantial portion of,.said. contactmaterial, .ad mitting a stream [of .izapors to said. chamber, -increasing thevelocityof, said stream ofvapors to.,substantial. extentafteriadmission. thereof to ,said chamber, and passing acircumferentially complete .streamofsaid vapors, afterthe velocity thereof has thus been .increased, downwardly -aroundtheatomizing zone. and,into.the.path fol- -lowed by. some ofttheuatomized liquid material migratingporatending. to migrate toward the intcriorsurfaceofi said. reaction zone.

.4. The methodof claim 3 whereina portion of the contact material which is engaged by the atomized, liquid material? fallsfreely through Said chamber.

. 5., In the art of convertinglhydrocarbons in the I -said vapors to substantial extent after admission thereof to said-chamberin'response to"flow there- -of'-through-a restricted annular passage defined *by a barrier "disposed within said reaction zone substantially in concentric relation with respect tothe interior-surface-thereof; and'passing said stream of--Va;prs,.\after" the velocity thereof has "thusbeen increased, into the path iollowed 'by -someiof theatomizedliquidunaterialmigratingor -z-tending toimigratealongsaid path toward said --barrier eto minimize iormation' of *a "deposit of carbonaceous material-thereon.

6. The method ofr=cla-im= wherein -a portion of ther contact r-material which is-engaged by -the atomized liquid-,materialtells-freely through said chamber.

j.7.. .Inthe artrof converting, hydrocarbons inlthe presence. of: regenerated. contact material which gravitates through a housing whilechavingeconversion temperature, the methodwhich comprises causing atomized liquid. hydrocarbon material to pass. through. auchamber, in the ,upper, portion .of said housing from an atomizinglzone and to .be engaged with at least a substantial portionof said contact material, admitting hydrocarbon vapors to saidchamber and, passing .a circumfer entiallycompletestream of such vapors through a plurality of. annular, restricted .pa-ssageseoncentrically disposed, interiorly of said housing. to

2 increase the ,vapor velocity .during .downward movement thereof around .the atomizingzone and pinto, thelpath followed by-some. of theatomized liquid material ,migrating or. tending to .mig'rate toward the interiorhousingsurface, thevelocity ofsaidstream oflyapors being sufiicient to deflect (migrating atomized liquid material fromsaid path and at least substantially prevent. engagement thereof w-ithsaidinterior.housing surface.

8. In. apparatus ,of :,the. character described, a ,vertical conversion housing,,means 'for causing ..gravitating.contactmaterial to fall'freely through .ia chamber in, the dipper portion of saidhousing, :.said :contact material thereafter .gravitat-ing through the lower: portion-cf said housing; as, a gsolidbedof contact material, an atomizen-insaid chamber; means for supplying liquid hydrocarbon material tO'-1S3iid atomizer. from. which. atomized liquid. material is ejected into engagement with gut-he. freely iallingt contact material and. thatop qsurface of said. had, :means for; admitting vapors to said housing for ,downward. movement through wataleastna part of said, chamber, and .-a (vertical -baflle member disposed withinisaidmhamberl rela- :.tiVe1ycclose to the interior; surace. thereofnand related concentricallygto said housing,--:said .-baflle i member. donning .a, plurality. lof. ,annular--passages located. at differentrespective levels -:and having ;.substantially equal diameters,,said.passages being traversed by downwardly IIlOViIlguVfl-POIS .with re- 35.. conversion housing;,means -for oausinggrafitatiingscontactmaterial ,to fall -.free1y athroughea chamber; in; the upper :portion. of said-housing,

said acontact material thereafter :gravitating 1 through. the lower portion .of.- said-Jhousingcasaa l0 :solidhed. of. contact .material,, an ,atomizer. iii-said chamberflmeans iorsupplying liquid hydmcarbon ,material v 0. isaid -..atomizer from- .which eatomized liquid. material :ejected ..in to en agement-mum the freely v-ialling contact I materiai..,and the "top ...suriace ,ofl saidabed means. for-admitting vapors .to .said. housing ton-downward movement through eati-least. apart of said chamber andeatbaflle-farrangement disposed wwithinssaid chamber melaltivelyclose -to-,.the interior: surface -.thereof and .relatedcconoentrica1lytO-Said 4 housing; saidvbaflle arrangementxiefining-ia plurality of a-nnuiarrpas- -.sages 1 located at! different respective levels, some; ofisaidannularrpassages having; diameter-greater :than-that ofrotherannulanpassages;said annular passages being .traversedrby :downwardIy-moving vapors withresultant-.rincrease in velocity-thereof to thereby deflect. migrati-ngna-tomized "liquid *material towardrtheitop-surface-of said-bed' of con- .tactmaterial.

RAYMOND CR. LAZSSI-AT.

. REFERENGES CITED The following references-are of record in the file of this patent. 

1. IN THE ART OF CONVERTING HYDROCARBONS IN THE PRESENCE OF CONTACT MATERIAL WHICH GRAVITATES THROUGH A REACTION ZONE WHILE HAVING CONVERSION TEMPERATURE, THE METHOD WHICH COMPRISES CAUSING ATOMIZED LIQUID HYDROCARBON MATERIAL TO PASS THROUGH A CHAMBER IN THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID REACTION ZONE AND TO BE ENGAGED WITH AT LEAST A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF SAID CONTACT MATERIAL, ADMITTING A STREAM OF VAPORS TO SAID CHAMBER, INCREASING THE VELOCITY OF SAID STREAM OF VAPORS TO 